Fluorescence Based Optical Chemical Sensors for Personal Protection

摘要

The World Health Organization has reported that each year approximately 3 million people are poised by organophosphate substances (pesticides and nerve agents) resulting in 220,000 deaths. Organophosphates (OP) are toxic compounds which cause rapid and severe inhibition of serine proteases, most markedly acetylcholinesterase, which is vital to nerve function. This inhibition is often fatal. OP nerve agents are generally stable, easy to disperse, and highly toxic. They can be absorbed through the skin, by ingestion, or by respiration. A release of a nerve agent has the potential to rapidly affect a large number of people. The ease of manufacturing and dispensability of nerve agents, as well as available, inexpensive starting materials make these agents a weapon of choice for criminal terrorist attacks. One of the major steps toward protection against dangerous substances is to develop sensor devices that can act as an early warning system to the endangered people.